The running joke with Michael was that he was a preseason phenom and regular-season flop. But through three games in 2016 — including Sunday’s 106-yard, two-TD effort in a win over the 49ers — Michael has proven himself as a worthy NFL starting running back.
The question came in mid-August, two days after the Seahawks’ first preseason game, and I was 90 percent joking when I asked it.
Thomas Rawls had just spent three minutes praising the evolution of Christine Michael, who was fresh off a seven-carry, 44-yard performance vs. the Chiefs.
Rawls noted how Michael had developed into a “one-cut” back who had become as decisive as he was explosive — and his improvement was evident throughout training camp.